Wednesday, June 30, 2010

After three epic encounters all that separated the teams was the kick of a ball. Fitting for a fantastic advertisement for the game. However, the faces on the Dublin players at the final whistle said it all – exit from the Leinster Championship.

The Dubs made an enforced change at the start of the game with Danny Byrene starting in midfield and Peter O’Curry reverting to full back in place of the injured David Shatwell. Ultimately the Dubs lost the game in the 1st half. They trailed by 7 points at one time in the 1st period and went in at half time 6 down 1-07 to 0-04. In this period the Blues struggled to break through the Kildare defence, often carrying the ball into trouble and occasion shooting wide. Kildare in contrast were very strong around the field. Physically they looked bigger than their Dublin opponents especially on the full forward line a factor they were not short in exploiting. Dublin were forced to make changes to cope with this threat with Jack McCaffrey, son of Noel, coming on to replace Michael Gibbs and Donagh McCabe on to replace Danny Byrne who had picked up a yellow card.

The Kildare goal came when a ball into the square when the Kildare #15 got his fist to a high ball beating the attempt to fist out by the keeper and full back.

The Dubs reinvigorated tore into Kildare from the start of the 2nd period. Points from Caffrey, son of Paul, Skerries Harry Dawson and the increasingly influential Ciaran Kilkenny had the Dubs within 3 points of the Lillies. Collie Woods was introduced and within minutes was also on the scoresheet. However the Kildare men were battling hard and had upped the lead again to 5. The Dubs fought back again and after a superb solo run from Na Fianna’s Niall McGovern which ended up with a free for a very dangerous foul the Dubs were within three again. Another Woods fisted point, Kilkenny frees and with 7 minutes left incredibly there was only 1 point in it. More changes saw Ryan Basquel on for fergal Duffy but the Blues just couldn’t break through to equalise. Kildare rallied and opened up a 3 point advantage again. There was still time for some Dublin pressure and with no time left a shot from Jack McCaffrey was blocked and within no time it was all over.

The Dubs exhausted and emotionally scarred fell to the ground in frustration while both teams received a standing ovation from the crowd. A mention for the Kildare #12 Paul Cribben who was outstanding and looks a special player indeed.

Dublin have a number of players to look out for in future years: McGovern, Caffrey, McCaffrey, Duffy, Dawson, Stewart, Kilkenny and Woods to name but a few. We look forward to see more of you in the years to come.

And so Dublin leave the Leinster championship but do so with heads held high. They fought back on each of the 3 games and showed real pride in the Blue jersey. A credit to the county, a credit to their clubs, a credit to Val Andrews, a credit to their families & a credit to themselves. Comhghairdeas is chomh bhron ag an am cheanna.